Fifth annual Light Up Lorain ready to roll Nov. 30

LORAIN — Ice sculpting and a bonfire are the newest additions to the fifth annual Light Up Lorain event that kicks off the holidays Nov. 30 in downtown Lorain.
“The volunteers, merchants and city officials have come together to make this year the best ever,” said Cheri Antus, Downtown Lorain Christmas Council chairwoman.
“The Waterfront District Partnership is making this event on Broadway and the riverfront a magical Christmas event,” Antus said.
The Light Up Lorain event kicks off with the annual Christmas parade at 4:30 p.m. It marches north down Broadway from 12th Street to Erie Avenue.
Participants should line up at 12th Street at 4 p.m. Parade marshal is Steve Bansek.
To join the parade, call 440-282-2790 or email him at polishprince@centurytel.net.
Last year’s commentator for the event, native Lorainite Paul Kiska from WEWS-TV Ch. 5, is expected to offer narration and commentary for the parade and the lighting ceremony.
At 5:30 p.m., the post-parade festivities begin with musical entertainment at Veterans Park, Washington and Erie avenues.
At 6 p.m., Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer will flip the “magic” switch and turn on an estimated 60,000 Christmas lights, draped across the trees in Veterans Park and running across the face and sides of Lorain City Hall across the street from the park.
Antus said ice sculpting, a new event added to the list this year, will take place at Broadway and Eighth Street, in the vacant lot where Ghoulardi’s bar once stood.
There also will be a bonfire at that location.
“There will be rides, shuttles, music, art displays, food vendors and Santa’s secret shopping,” Antus said.
After the parade, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, at 637 Broadway, Lorain, will open its doors to children and their wish lists until 10 p.m.
Children will have an opportunity to get their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There also will be crafts, storytelling and other adventures.
After that, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen will open its doors from 3-7 p.m., Dec. 1, and from there, it will be open every Saturday from 5-9 p.m. and from 3-7 p.m. Sundays.
After the holiday lights are on, a horse drawn carriage will be available to transport passengers to Lakeview Park and back to downtown Lorain.
A live reindeer will be secured and fenced in the alley between the Lorain Palace Theater and the Eagles building.
The International Trees display and model trains display inside the Transportation Center at the Black River Landing will be open from 5-9 p.m. weekdays Nov. 23 through Jan. 4; 4-9 p.m. Saturdays; and 3-7 p.m. Sundays.
Final arrangements to secure the Rocket Car ride for Light Up Lorain are still in progress.
The Rocket Car takes passengers down Broadway from Fourth Street to 12th Street and back to check out the storefront window decorations.
At 8 p.m., Nov. 29, at the Lorain Palace Theater, 617 Broadway, Lorain, top-flight ventriliquist Todd Oliver and Friends, from ABC-TV’s “America’s Got Talent,” will perform a family-friendly show. Tickets go on sale Oct. 15 for $15 and $25.
Scott Muska, treasurer of the Lorain Palace Theater board of directors, said the Palace’s Breakfast with Santa will take place at 10 a.m., Dec.7
At 6 p.m., Dec. 22, at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, there will be a reading of the classic holiday tale, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Antus said this year’s ”Light Up Lorain” promises to be the biggest event in its five years.
She credited the assistance of local organizations, such as Follow the Fish, the Lorain Arts Council, the Lorain Palace Theater, the Charleston Coffee House, the Lorain Growth Corporation and the Lorain Port Authority for their assistance.